Information device, information device system control method, and information device system

ABSTRACT

A device including a self-information memory which stores function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes a function indicated by the data. When plural devices are connected to each other via a network, device acting as a master device, includes a connected device memory which stores device name data of all connected device and a communication pair memory which stores function data of the communication partner.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/473,299, filed Dec.28, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,589; which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 08/996,142, filed Dec. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.6,131,111.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices such as audio-visual (AV)devices and personal computers (PCs) capable of recording and playingdata of images and sound and devices having a function to receive and totransmit data of images and sound, and in particular, to devices havinga function to enable, in a situation in which a plurality of devices areto be connected to each other, the user to connect the devices to eachother without paying attention to a connection sequence thereof and toremotely control, by operating an arbitrary one of the connecteddevices, the other devices.

Recently, audio-visual devices have been broadly put to use and hence itis an ordinary practice that one user possesses several devicesincluding a CD player, a television set (TV set), and a video player(VCR). Among the users, there has been increasingly desired to mutuallyconnect these AV devices to each other so as to construct a so-called AVsystem. Consider a case as an example in which a VTR, a TV set, and asatellite broadcasting receiver are to be connected to each other. Forexample, or when video signals of a satellite broadcasting receiver aredesired to be recorded in a VTR, it is necessary to connect an outputjack of the satellite broadcasting receiver to an input jack of the VTR.Moreover, when video signals received by a satellite broadcastingreceiver are desired to be displayed on a TV set, it is required toconnect an output jack of the satellite broadcasting receiver to aninput jack of the TV set. Additionally, there exists a problem ofoperability. In the present stage of art, the user can operate almostany such devices by a remote controller, which consequently leads to anundesired situation. Namely, there are arranged on a desk of the user asmany remote controllers as there are the connected devices.

To solve the second problem above, various ideas have been proposed. Forexample, in accordance with a method described in JP-A-8-79847, there isprepared a remote controller including a liquid crystal display and allof the connected devices are beforehand registered to the remotecontroller such that the user touches an icon of one of the registereddevices displayed thereon to thereby operate the device. Thanks totechnology of the remote controller, all devices can be controlled byonly one remote controller.

However, when the remote controller proposed in JP-A-8-79847, isadopted, there arises a problem that the user is required to beforehandregister the icons of the connected devices to the remote controller andit is also necessary to register functions (such as recording andreproducing functions) that the respective devices have to the remotecontroller via an IC card and/or a telephone line so as to be storedtherein. Additionally, the problem that users have to considerconnection sequence, which was stated earlier, cannot be removed by theremote controller of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a systemand a device in which the user can connect devices to each other withoutpaying attention to a method of connecting the devices to each other andwithout registering functions and the like of the devices and the usercan easily and arbitrarily operate the connected devices.

To achieve the object above, there is provided in accordance with thepresent invention a system in which each of the devices to be connectedincludes an own device name memory to store therein device name datathereof and an own function memory to store therein function dataindicating functions thereof. Furthermore, at least one of the connecteddevices includes a connected device memory to store therein device dataitems of all of the connected devices, a communication pair functionmemory to store therein functions of two devices communicating datatherebetween, and display means such as a liquid crystal display in aremote controller or in a housing of the pertinent device or a displayconnection jack to connect a display thereto so that device name dataand function data received from other devices are displayed thereon anda function selected therefrom is sent to a device selected therefrom tothereby operate the other devices. In this regard, it is assumed thatthe memory above indicates a storage or storage means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become moreapparent from the consideration of the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of connection of AV devicesand a PC;

FIG. 2 is diagram showing an appearance of an IRD;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of an IRD(Integrated Receiver Decoder);

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining operation of a control device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the communication modesection;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a method of storingdata in a self-information memory;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method of storing data in a connecteddevice memory;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a method of storing data in a communication pairfunction memory;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a packet structure used to transferan ID number and device name data;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a communication mode display LCD;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operation of a connected device otherthan the control device;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a packet utilized to transfer an IDnumber and a function flag;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication mode setting display screenof a D-TV;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a display screen when acommunication confirmation button is pressed;

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an appearance of a D-TV;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a method of storing data in aself-information memory;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a data storage example of a connecteddevice memory;

FIG. 18 is a front view of an IRD operator panel;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a D-VCR operator panel;

FIG. 20 is a front view for explaining a communication start grantscreen;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a data packet structure employed totransmit a device name data request;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a data packet structure used to transmit afunction data request;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a data packet structure adopted to transmitfunction data;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a data packet structure utilized totransfer device name data together with function data;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an IRD notincluding a communication mode display LCD; and

FIG. 26 is a front view of a remote controller of an IRD.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a digital satellite broadcastingreceiver (IRD) 102, a digital video cassette recorder (D-VCR) 103, adigital television set (D-TV set) 104 for receiving a digital videosignal and conducting processing such as a decoding of the signal todisplay an image thereof, and a personal computer (PC) 106 are connectedto each other via cables 100, 101, and 105.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the interface between the cables 100,101, and 105 and the connected devices are a bus interface, e.g., aninternational standard IEEE1394 which conforms to a protocol torecognize a connection state in accordance with an ID number, anaddress, and the like. However, the interface is not restricted by theIEEE1394, namely, the digital interface may he achieved by a USB, anSSA, a fiber channel, an FC-EL, or an SCSI.

In conjunction with the embodiment above, description will be given of acase in which a job to record a grand wave of a digital image receivedby the D-TV 104 in the D-VCR 103 is accomplished by operating the IRD102. First, FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.

FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the IRD 102. This configuration includes areception channel display LCD 201 for displaying a channel being usedfor reception, a group of buttons 202 for selecting a channel, and agroup of operation buttons and a display section (to be referred to as acommunication mode section herebelow) which are employed to operate theIRD in a communication mode.

Numeral 204 indicates a power button, 205 and 207 are cursor movebuttons to move a cursor displayed on the communication mode display LCD209, 206 denotes a selection button to change an item to be displayed ata position of the cursor, 210 indicates a communication mode button tooperate the IRD in the communication mode, 211 denotes a communicationprogram button to display and to confirm setting items to set aplurality of communications, 212 designates a stop button to terminatecommunication, and 213 is a communication confirmation button to confirma communication state.

FIG. 3 briefly shows the internal circuit configuration of the IRD 102including a bus 300 of a CPU 301 in the IRD 102, the bus being connectedto essential means such as a memory. Exchanges and other handling ofdata, which will be next described, are accomplished under control ofthe CPU 301. Numeral 302 denotes a working memory (e.g., an RAM) used bythe CPU 301 to execute processing, 303 indicates a video processingsection to achieve processing such as decoding of and DA conversion ofreceived video data, and 304 is a digital connection interface sectionconducting processing for digital connection to another device inconformity with a protocol (e.g., IEEE1394).

Numeral 305 indicates a tuner section to receive a signal sent from asatellite, 306 denotes a communication mode screen display controlsection to control characters and the like displayed on thecommunication mode display LCD 209 disposed in a front panel of the IRD102, 311 indicates an own device name memory to store therein devicename data of the IRD 102, and 312 is an own function memory to storetherein function data of the IRD 102. In this regard, the “device name”in this paragraph indicates a name of a device itself such as IRD orD-VCR.

Numeral 307 is non-volatile storage means (ROM) in which a program tocontrol the overall operation of IRD 102 is stored. Numeral 308indicates a connected device memory to store therein device names and IDnumbers or addresses of all devices connected to a bus or a networklinked with the IRD 102, 309 designates a communication pair functionmemory to temporarily store therein functions of a pair (including twodevices on the sender and receiver sides) communicating with each other,and 310 is a communication configuration memory to store therein theconfiguration of communication started.

Description will be next given of a case in which a job to record videodata received by the D-TV 104 in the D-VCR 103 is accomplished byoperating the IRD 102 as above by referring to a flowchart of FIG. 4 anda magnified diagram of FIG. 5 showing the button group and a displaysection 203 to be used to operate the IRD 102 in the communication mode.In this connection, since the other devices are operated by the IRD 102,the IRD 102 will be referred to as a master device. It is additionallyassumed that the connected D-VCR 103, D-TV 104, and PC 106 each haveconstituent circuits equivalent to at least the own function memory 312,the own device name memory 311, and the connection interface 304 of theinternal block circuit configuration of IRD 102 shown in FIG. 3.

First, when connected to the cable or powered (phase 401), the IRD 102is initialized in accordance with the specification of the digitalinterface of the cable (phase 402). In this operation, an ID number isdetermined for each of the connected devices.

In this case, the ID number is determined, for example, in accordancewith the international standard IEEE1394 as follows. Parentrelationships are determined for all connected devices as stipulated bythe international standard IEEE1394 (IEEE standard for a HighPerformance Serial Bus), and each of the devices as leaves (devices thathave no children) sequentially determines its own ID number (nodenumber) to notify the number to the other devices.

In this embodiment, the IRD 102, D-VCR 103, D-TV 104, and PC 106 areassumed to be assigned with ID numbers “102”, “103”, “104”, and “106”,respectively.

Next, control is passed to phase 403 in which the own device name isreported to the other devices.

There can be considered two methods of reporting the own device name tothe other devices.

In the first method, after the interface is completely initialized inphase 402, the device transfers the own ID number assigned thereto andthe own device name stored in the own device name memory 311 via theinterface 304 to the other connected devices (which is called abroadcast transfer in the IEEE1394). In this method, each of theconnected devices having the connected device memory receives at thispoint of time device name data of the other devices and stores the datain the connected device memory 308 thereof and hence can memorize alldevice names of the connected devices. For example, in this embodiment,each of the devices including IRD 102, D-VCR 103, D-TV 104, etc.transmits the own device name via the connection interface to the otherconnected devices to resultantly memorize all device names of theconnected device.

In the second method, after the interface is completely initialized inphase 402, the devices enter an idling state (waiting for requests) suchthat when the pertinent device receives request data for device namedata via the interface 304 in this state, the device transfers thedevice name thereof to the requesting device. For example, in thisembodiment, the IRD 102 issues the device name request to the D-VCR 103,D-TV 104, etc. such that the IRD 102 receives device name data of alldevice names transmitted in response to the request and stores the datain the connected device memory 308 thereof. In this situation, thedevice name request data is transferred to the other connected deviceswhen the communication mode button 210 of the IRD 102 is depressed.

The first method has an advantage that the period of time from when theuser presses the communication mode button (selects the device as acontrol device) to when control is passed to the next phase isminimized. Conversely, the second method has an advantage that when thedevice is not selected as a master device, the device name data is notrequired to be received, which consequently saves the memory capacity.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a transfer data structure to request devicename data. Numeral 2101 indicates header data conforming to the digitalinterface to connect the device and indicating that a device name datarequest flag 2103 follows the header data and 2102 denotes an ID numberof the transmission source. There is stored in the own device namememory 311 display character data to display characters for easyunderstanding of the user as shown in FIG. 6A. Assume that charactercodes enclosed in parentheses are to be stored.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a transmission data layout or structure usedto transfer an ID number and a device name to other devices. Numeral 901is a header conforming to the protocol of the digital interface andindicating that device name data follows the header data, 902 denotes anID number of the device, and 903 indicates device name data thereof.Incidentally, to correctly display display character data on thereceiver side, there is required means to transform the character datainto characters on the receiver side. In the IRD 102, the communicationmode screen display control section 306 of FIG. 3 conducts the operationto display the data on the communication mode LCD 209.

In phase 403, a device having a connected memory 308 (i.e., a devicewhich can operate as a master device) transmits the device name and theID number of the device. On the other hand, the device receives an IDnumber and a device name transmitted from the other device to storethese items (together with the own device name and the own ID number) inthe connected device memory 308. However, in a case where the controldevice issues the request to the other devices for the device name data(the second method of transferring device name data), at least the owndevice name is not required to be transmitted.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, the ID number 701 and the device namecharacter display code 702 corresponding thereto are stored in theconnected device memory 308. Parentheses associated with numeral 702means that the character codes enclosed between the parentheses are tobe displayed. Through the operations up to this point, the preparationfor determining a device to transmit data and a device to receive datahas been completed.

In this connection, although FIG. 6A shows a data storage example in theown device name memory 311, it may also be possible that an area of onememory (self-information memory 313) is subdivided into an own devicename memory area and an own function memory area as shown in FIG. 3. Inother word, the storage areas may be changed in accordance with kinds ofdata to be stored therein.

FIG. 6B shows a data storage example of the self-information memory 313.Numeral 604 is an own device name memory area and 602 and 603 indicate aremaining area used as a self-function memory domain or an own functionmemory area. Numeral 604 is an own device name data and 602 denotes afunction flag, i.e., a command number. When the data of the flag isreceived from an external device, there is executed a functioncorresponding thereto. Numeral 603 indicates a function name to displaycharacters to concretely notify the function of the function flag 602 tothe user. As parentheses 601, parentheses 603 and 604 indicate that thecharacter codes enclosed therebetween are to be stored.

Thereafter, control is passed to phase 404 to determine a pair includinga source device and a target device for data communication. It isassumed in this paragraph that the source device is a device on a sidefrom which information is transmitted and the target device is a devicefor receiving information from the source device. Phases 404 to 407 willbe next described by referring to FIG. 5 showing a magnified view of thecommunication mode section 203 of the IRD 102.

Since the communication mode button 210 is pressed in the precedingphase, the communication mode is on in the system. Therefore, the cursoris displayed at a position 501 in a source side area 506 displayed onthe communication mode display LCD 209. Incidentally, when the button210 is not pressed, the communication mode is off and hence the IRD 102is operated as a single device such that the button group 202 of FIG. 2,a remote controller associated with the device, or the like are operatedto set a channel.

When the user depresses the selection button 206, the device names (702of FIG. 7) stored in the connected device memory 308 are sequentiallydisplayed at the position 501. When “D-TV” is presented, the pressedstate of the button 206 is released. In consequence, the cursor movebutton 207 is pressed to move the cursor to the position 502. Since thecursor is moved from the position 501, it is assumed that D-TV 104 isselected as a source device and a request is issued to the D-TV 104 inaccordance with the ID number (104 of FIG. 7) of the D-TV 104 stored inthe memory 308 for function data (a flag to execute a function of D-TVby an external operation and a character code representing thefunction). When the function data of D-TV required is received, thedevice stores the data in the communication pair function memory 309(phase 405).

FIGS. 22 and 23 respectively show a transmission data structure exampleand a function data structure example related to the function datarequest. Numeral 2201 of FIG. 22 is a header conforming to the standardof the digital interface to connect the device and indicating that arequest flag for function data follows the header, 2202 indicates an IDnumber of the transfer source of data, and 2203 denotes a function datarequest flag. Additionally, numeral 2301 of FIG. 23 designates a headerconforming to the standard of the digital interface to connect thedevice and indicating that function data follows the header, 2302indicates an ID number of the transfer target of data, and 2303 isfunction data.

Since the D-TV 104 includes, like the IRD, the own function memory, whena request signal for function data is received, the D-TV 104 transfersdata (function data) stored in the own function memory to the IRD 102.

FIG. 8 shows a data storage example in the communication pair functionmemory 309. In the memory 309, the function flags 803 and 804 and thecharacter code data items 805 and 806 for representing the flags 803 and804 are separately stored in a data area for a source device 801(upper-half portion enclosed in a dotted line in FIG. 8) and a data areafor target device 802 (lower-half portion enclosed in a dotted line inFIG. 8). Incidentally, there may be arranged memories separately for thesource and target devices for the storages. By depressing the selectionbutton 206, character data 805 of function data stored in the sourcedevice area 801 is sequentially displayed in the cursor area 502 of FIG.5. When a desired function is displayed, the user releases the pressedstate of the button 206. This completes the setting of the source device(phase 406).

Next, control returns to phase 404 to determine the target device. Thecursor is moved to the position 503 in the target device display area507 by pressing the cursor move button 205 or 207. The target device anda function thereof are determined in a manner completely similar to thatof the operation conducted in association with the source device toselect the desired device and function (phases 404 and 405). However,the target device area 802 is used for the communication pair functionmemory 309. Incidentally, the example of FIG. 5 shows an operation torecord data of channel 1 of the D-TV 104 in the D-VCR 103.

When the source and target devices and the functions thereof arecompletely selected (phase 406), the user finally depresses the startbutton 208 (phase 407) and hence an instruction “select channel 1 andtransmit data to ID 103 (D-VCR)” is transferred to the D-TV 104 and aninstruction “receive and record (record picture) data transmitted fromID 104 (D-TV)” is transferred via the digital interface to the D-VCR103.

In this operation, the data transmitted from the IRD 102 includes thefunction flag 1203 and the ID number 1202 of the communication partneras shown in FIG. 12. Namely, to the D-TV 104, the ID number of D-VCR 103is set in the ID field 1202 and the command number 01 to receive channel1 is set in the function flag field 1203. Furthermore, for the D-VCR103, the ID number of D-TV 104 is set in the ID field 1202 and thecommand number 01 (the command number is “02” corresponding to the videorecording function as indicated by numeral 804 of FIG. 8 in thisembodiment) to record video data is set in the function flag field 1203.

As a result of the operations above, each device can recognize the datatransfer target and source. In this regard, a field 1201 is header dataconforming to the protocol of the digital interface to connect thedevice and indicating that data following the header data is a functionflag.

When the communication is started at this point, a character string 505of FIG. 5 “in communication” indicating that the communication is inprocess may be displayed on the communication mode display LCD 209. Atimer function may be provided in the control device (the IRD 102 inthis case) so that the communication start and end points of time areset by pressing a timer button, not shown, before the communicationstart button. In this case, however, at the point of time established asabove, the master device transfers the function flag in a packet of FIG.12.

When the user depresses the communication start button, theconfiguration data and ID number of each device at the starting pointare stored in the communication configuration memory 310. When settingthe communication pair, either one of the source and target devices maybe first set.

In the case using the second method of transferring device name data(i.e., the method of transferring the own device name in response to adevice name request), the request for device name data and the responsethereto as well as the request for function data and the responsethereto are respectively accomplished in the different phases (phases403 and 405). However, it may also be possible that the device name dataand the function data can be attained through one request. In otherwords, the master device transfers a request for function data includingdevice name data to the other devices. Receiving the request, eachconnected device transmits the own device name data together with theown function data. The master device receives the transmitted functiondata including the device name data, separates the data into the devicename data and the function data, and stores these data items in theconnected device memory 308 and the communication pair memory 309,respectively.

FIG. 24 shows a data structure example in which the function dataincluding the device name data is transmitted. Numeral 2401 is a headerwhich conforms to the standard of the digital interface and whichindicates that device name data 2403 and function data 2404 follow theheader and numeral 2402 denotes an ID number of the transmission source.

After there is established the communication to record pictures onchannel 1 of the D-TV 104 in the D-VCR, the user may desire to establishanother communication, for example, for reservation of recording inwhich a program received by the IRD 102 is to be recorded by the D-VCR103. This operation to additionally configure a communication can becarried out by depressing the communication program button 211. Inresponse to the pressing of the button 211, characters indicating aconfiguration of the next communication is displayed on the display LCD209 as indicated by numeral 1001 in FIG. 10 and then a new settingscreen is displayed. Setting the source and target devices, the secondcommunication can be started in a manner completely identical to thatused to configure the first communication. Repeatedly achieving theoperation above, there can be started a plurality of communications suchas the third communication, fourth communication, and so on.

When the user depresses the communication confirmation button 213 afterthe communication is started, the communication configuration stored inthe communication configuration memory 310 is displayed on the LCD 209as shown in FIG. 14. When the stop button 202 is pressed in thissituation, a signal “stop communication” is transmitted to the D-TV andD-VCR in accordance with the IDs thereof stored in the memory 310 toresultantly stop the communication.

In this regard, the description has been given from the standpoint ofthe RID 102, i.e., the master device. Next, description will be givenfrom a viewpoint of the devices to be controlled. In this case, theD-VCR 103 will be used for the description.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the D-VCR 103(slave device) is controlled by the master device. Phases 401, 402, and403 are the same as for the case of the control device and hencedescription thereof will be avoided.

In phase 1101, the device awaits a request from another device forfunction data. On receiving a function data request, the devicetransfers the function flag stored in the own function memory anddisplay character data thereof to the requesting device (phase 1102) andthen awaits reception of a function flag (functional command)transmitted therefrom (phase 1103). The master device sends thefunctional command in the data structure shown in FIG. 12. On receivingthe command (function flag), the device executes a function (e.g.,recording of picture) assigned to the flag (phase 1104).

Incidentally, the ID number of the data transmission source (D-TV inthis case) is also received together with the function flag as shown inFIG. 12. Therefore, the D-VCR 103 can recognize the source of thereceived data. After the function is executed, the device awaits again afunction request signal in phase 1101 to prepare for the nextcommunication.

As described above, each of the connected devices includes the owndevice name memory 311 and the own function memory 312 (or theself-information memory 313); moreover, at least one of the devicesincludes the connected device memory 308 and the communication pairfunction memory 309. Consequently, by operating only one of the devices(including the connected device memory 308 and the communication pairfunction memory 309), the user can operate the other connected devices.

In this regard, it is not necessarily required to separately arrange theconnected device memory, the communication pair function memory, and thecommunication configuration memory. Namely, one memory (RAM 314 of FIG.3) may be subdivided into areas to be used as these memories. Similarly,the contents stored in the own function memory, the own device namememory, and the program ROM are information items not to be rewritten.Therefore, the memories need not be arranged as separate memories,namely, it may be possible to subdivide one memory into areas for thesememories.

Furthermore, the communication mode display LCD may be configured asfollows.

(1) Although the source and target devices are set on the same screen(in which the setting items for source and target devices aresimultaneously displayed) in the description above, the screen to setthe target device may be displayed after the source device is completelyset.

(2) Liquid crystal displays (LCDS) are separately disposed to set thesource and target devices so that the setting operation of the sourcedevice and that of the target device can be separately selected.

(3) The communication mode display LCD is disposed on the remotecontroller, not on the device as shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 25 and 26 respectively show examples of the main section of IRDand the remote controller in the case of article (3) above. Numeral 2501is a main section of IRD in which the communication mode display LCD isnot entered and 2502 denotes a light receiving section to receive asignal from a remote controller. A remote controller 2601 includes acommunication mode display LCD 2602 (corresponding to the LCD 209), abutton 2603 to control power of the IRD, and a group of buttons 2604 tocontrol a reception channel (202) of the IRD. The other componentsassigned with the same numerals as those of FIG. 2 are the same as thoseof FIG. 2 and achieve the same operations.

Additionally, when a device like the D-TV 104 having a display todisplay video data thereon is assigned as the master device, thecommunication mode display LCD 209 is not required not be disposed inaddition to the display for the video data, namely, the communicationconfiguration menu screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 10 may be displayed onthe same display.

FIG. 13 shows an example of appearance of the D-TV 104 configured asabove. Numeral 1301 is a display to display thereon received video dataand a communication configuration menu, 1302 denotes a power switch, and1303 indicates a video button to display received video data. The otherbuttons are used for the same functions as those described inconjunction with FIG. 2 (and are assigned with the same numerals).

When the user depresses the communication mode button 210, the D-TV 104becomes a control device and the communication configuration menu isdisplayed on the display 1301. The source and target devices are set bypressing the cursor move buttons 205 and 207 and the selection button206 and then the communication is started by the start button 208. Whenthe video button 1303 is pressed, the communication mode display screenis changed to the ordinary received video display screen on the display1301. When another communication is to be established, the communicationmode button 210 is again pressed. That is, the D-TV 104 has two screendisplay modes for the received video display and the communication modedisplay, which can be changed by the buttons 210 and 1303.

In relation to the embodiment described above, description has beengiven of an example in which the data stored in the own device namememory 311, the own function memory 312, and the self-information memory313 is character data (as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8) such that eachconnected device converts the character data into characters to bedisplayed on the display.

Assume that there is employed, for example, character conversion ortransform procedure A. Each device stores character codes conforming tocharacter transform procedure A in the own device name memory, the ownfunction memory, and the self-information memory. Each device maydisplay received character data on the screen in conformity withcharacter transform procedure A. However, when a connected device storestherein character codes not conforming to character transform procedureA and transmits the character codes to another device, there naturallyoccurs an event in which the character codes are not appropriatelydisplayed. Consider utilization of other than the characters, i.e.,pictures and symbols by slightly changing the viewpoint. That is,description will be given of an embodiment in which the connecteddevices of FIG. 1 adopts graphic display procedure A in place ofcharacter transform procedure A.

In conjunction this embodiment, description will be given of a case inwhich the D-TV 104 is operated to receive video via channel 2 of the IRD102 so as to record the video in the D-VCR 103. In this operation,assume that the IRD-102, D-VCR 103, D-TV 104, and PC 106 each include aself-information memory 313 and store the device name data and thefunction data in accordance with a data format conforming to graphicdisplay procedure A. Moreover, assume that the D-TV 104 additionallyincludes a communication configuration memory 310 and a connected devicememory 308 as well as a communication mode screen display controlsection 306 which can display data conforming to graphic displayprocedure A on the screen and which can conduct operations associatedtherewith. Furthermore, assume in the embodying mode that the own devicename data and the own function data are collected as self-informationdata to be stored in the self-information memory 313 and theself-information data (the own device name data and the own functiondata) is stored in the connected device memory together with the IDnumber, namely, the communication pair memory 309 becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 16 shows an example of self-information data stored in theself-information memory of the IRD 102. Numeral 1601 denotesself-information data obtained by transforming the device name data andthe function data of IRD in accordance with graphic display procedure A.Parentheses indicate that self-information data of the device enclosedin the parentheses are beforehand transformed in accordance with graphicdisplay procedure A.

FIG. 15 shows a second appearance of the D-TV 104, which is differentfrom that shown in FIG. 13. Numerals without “15” at the beginningthereof have already appeared and hence will not be described. In theD-TV of FIG. 15, the user can select items by directly touching thescreen, namely, there are not utilized the cursor move buttons 205 and207 and the selection button 206 used in the D-TV of FIG. 13. When theselected cursor position is successively tapped twice, there is obtainedthe effect which is attained when the selection button 206 is depressed.

First, when the user depresses the communication mode button 210 shownin FIG. 15, the device, i.e., D-TV 104 is selected as the controldevice. The D-TV 104 requests the connected devices for self-informationdata. Receiving a response thereto (ID number and self-informationdata), the D-TV 104 stores the response in the connected device memory308 thereof.

FIG. 17 shows a data storage example of the connected device memory.Numerals 1701 and 1702 respectively indicate an ID number andself-information data of the IRD 102. Similarly, numerals 1703 and 1704respectively designate an ID number and self-information data of theD-VCR 103 and numerals 1705 and 1706 respectively designate an ID numberand self-information data of the D-TV 104. As in FIG. 16, parenthesesare used such that self-information data of the device enclosed in theparentheses are beforehand transformed in accordance with graphicdisplay A.

After the ID number and self-information data of each connected deviceare stored in the connected device memory, the D-TV 104 reads thecontents of the connected device memory 308 to inversely transform theobtained data in accordance with graphic display procedure A and thendisplay the data on a screen. FIG. 15 shows a screen 1301 which is anexample of the screen display at this point of time. Numeral 1501indicates an item (to be referred to as an icon herebelow) representingdevice name data of the D-VCR 103, 1502 denotes an icon of the D-TV 104,1503 is an icon of the IRD 102, and 1504 indicates an icon of the PC106. In this operation, for easy understanding of the master device(pertinent device), it may be possible to display the control device ina color other than that of the other connected devices.

When the user first selects the IRD 102 (successively pats the icon 1503of IRD twice), an IRD operator panel 1800 shown in FIG. 18 is displayedon the screen. The data is associated with the self-information data1702 of IRD shown in FIG. 17. Numerals 1804 to 1807 are scroll buttons.When the user touches any one of the scroll buttons by a finger, acharacter string displayed on the left thereof is scrolled upward ordownward. Numeral 1808 denotes an input device name when data is to beinputted to the IRD. In this case, since data is not inputted thereto,“NONE” is selected. Numeral 1809 is an output device name when data isto be outputted thereto. In this case, “D-VCR” is selected. Numeral 1802indicates a reception channel. Channel 2 is selected in this case. Whenthe setting is finished, the user selects an OK button 1810. When thesetting is desired to be conducted again, the user selects a cancelbutton 1811.

Next, when the icon 1501 of the D-VCR is selected, a D-VCR operatorpanel 1900 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 19. The data isrelated to the self-information data 1704 of the D-VCR shown in FIG. 17.Numerals 1903 to 1906 are scroll buttons. When one of the scroll buttonsis touched by a finger, a character string displayed on the left thereofis scrolled upward or downward. Numeral 1901 denotes an input devicename when data is to be inputted to the D-VCR. “IRD” is selected in thiscase. Numeral 1902 is an output device name when data is to be outputtedthereto. Since data is not outputted in this case, “NONE” is selected.Numerals 1907 to 1909 are buttons for the stopping, playing, andrecording operations. “Recording” is selected in this case. When thesetting is finished, the user selects an OK button 1910. When thesetting is desired to be conducted again, the user selects a cancelbutton 1911. At this point of time, “the setting for the recording ofchannel 2 of IRD in the D-VCR” is completed.

Thereafter, when the communication start button 208 is pressed, aninstruction “receive data via channel 2 and transmit the data to D-VCR(ID number=103)” and an instruction “record data (video) sent from theIRD 102 (ID number=102)” are respectively transmitted in the format ofFIG. 12 to the IRD 102 (ID number=102) and the D-VCR 103 to therebystart the communication. In this connection, the communication may bestarted by selecting the OK button using the second device setting or byselecting the OK button 2001 after displaying characters “startcommunication?” as indicated by numeral 2000 of FIG. 20.

After this point, as in the case described in conjunction with anexample in which the IRD is used as a master device to record the videofrom D-TV in the D-VCR, a plurality of communications can be configuredby the program button 211 and any communication already started orreserved can be stopped by the confirmation button 213 and the stopbutton 212.

In accordance with the present invention, when a plurality of devices ofthe present invention are connected to each other, it is not necessaryfor the user to pay attention to the connecting sequence of the devices.Moreover, using one of the devices, the user can control the otherdevices. Additionally, the installation of driver software of eachdevice, which is indispensable when peripheral devices of personalcomputers are connected to each other, becomes unnecessary. Namely, theuser can utilize the system only by connecting the devices by cables.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information device system comprising: at leasttwo information devices connected via a bus or a network, saidinformation devices having ID numbers automatically assignedsubsequently to being connected to said bus or network, wherein eachinformation device identifies the other information device using the IDnumber of the other information device, wherein each information devicecomprises: storage means for storing device name data indicating a nameof said information device to provide information used fordistinguishing an identification of said information device from theother information device, and another storage means for storing functiondata including instruction data used for enabling said informationdevice to be controlled by the other information device, wherein saidinformation device sends to the other information device said functiondata including information data in response to a request from the otherinformation device and receives from the other information deviceinformation which is generated by the other information device based onsaid function data received so that said information device iscontrolled by the other information device, wherein at least one of saidinformation devices further comprises: first storage means for storingdevice name data received from the other information device, and secondstorage means for storing function data sent from said the otherinformation device, wherein said one information device controls theother information device such that said one information device requestsone or more other information devices in said system to send device namedata and stores the received device name data in said first storagemeans, requests a subject information device to be controlled among theother information devices in said system to send function data andstores said function data sent from said subject information device insaid second storage means, generates control information based on saidfunction data stored in said second storage means for controlling saidsubject information device and sends the generated control informationto control said subject information device.
 2. The information devicesystem according to claim 1, wherein said device name data includes textdata representing a name of said information device.
 3. The informationdevice system according to claim 1, wherein said device name dataincludes graphic data of an icon representing said information device.4. An information device which configures an information device systemwhich includes a plurality of said information device including saidinformation device and at least another information device connected tosaid information device via a bus or a network, said information devicehaving ID number automatically assigned subsequently to being connectedto said bus or network, wherein said information device identifies theother information device using the ID number of the other informationdevice, said information device comprising: storage means for storingdevice name data including a name of said information device to provideinformation used for distinguishing an identification of saidinformation device from the other information device; another storagemeans for storing function data including instruction data for enablingsaid information device to be controlled by the other informationdevice; first storage means for storing device name data received fromanother information device; and second storage means for storingfunction data received from a subject information device to becontrolled by said information device, wherein when said informationdevice is to be controlled by said another information device, saidinformation device sends to said another information device saidfunction data including instruction data in response to a request fromsaid another information device and receives from said anotherinformation device information which is generated by said anotherinformation device based on said function data received so that saidinformation device is controlled by said another information device,wherein when said information device is to control a certain informationdevice, said information device requests said at least anotherinformation device to send device name data and stores the receiveddevice name data in said first storage means, request said certaininformation device to be controlled among said at least said anotherinformation devices to send function data, receives said function datafrom said certain information device data and stores the receivedfunction data in said second storage means, generates controlinformation based on said function data stored in said second storagemeans for controlling said certain information and sends the generatedcontrol information to said certain information device to control saidcertain information device.
 5. The information device according to claim4, wherein said device name data includes text data of an iconrepresenting said information device.
 6. The information deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein said device name data includes graphicdata of an icon representing said information device.
 7. A method forcontrolling an information device system having at least two informationdevices connected via a bus or a network, each information device havingdevice name data indicating a name of said information device to provideinformation used for distinguishing an identification of saidinformation device from the other information device and function dataincluding instruction data used for enabling said information device tobe controlled by the other information device, said information deviceshaving ID numbers automatically assigned subsequently to be connected tosaid bus or network, wherein each of said information device identifiesthe other information device using the ID number of the otherinformation device, said method comprising the steps of: requesting asecond information device to send deice name data including a name ofsaid second information device which said second information device hasto a first information device when said second information device is tobe controlled; storing said device name data sent from said secondinformation device to said first information device, when said secondinformation device is to be controlled, requesting said secondinformation device to send function data including instruction datawhich said second information device has for enabling said secondinformation device to be controlled; receiving said function data sentfrom said second information device an storing the received functiondata in storage means of said first information device; generatingcontrol information based on said function data received by said firstinformation device for controlling said second information device andsending the generated control information to said second informationdevice to control said second information device, when said firstinformation device is to be controlled by said second informationdevice, receiving a request for device name data from said secondinformation device and sending device name data from said secondinformation device and sending device name data from said firstinformation device to said second information device; receiving arequest for function data from said second information device andsending from said first information device function data includinginstruction data for enabling said first information device to becontrolled by other information devices to said second informationdevice; and generating information by said second information devicebased on said function data sent from said first information device andreceiving said generated information by said first information device tocontrol said first information device by said second information device.